A Book Review

This is a decidedly unique story. And well written. Takes place in an old library. As the subtitle says, there is magic there. The characters are elusive and allowed to stay so until the end, which is one of the things I loved about this story--a magical tree and a secret that is not revealed until the end. The main character has lost her memories of her younger self. She doesn't know who she is. Need I say more? My search for good books is becoming more and more difficult. Even trad authors who have a name for themselves are not bothering to have their books edited (which really pisses me off since I, as a self-pubbed author, take so much time to make sure my books don't have errors). My ability to put up with this is waning. I'm becoming more and more picky. There have been some stories that the plot keeps me going despite the mistakes, which are mostly cut and paste, but overall I will put the book down if it stops me too much. I don't think any of us should put up with it--it's like politics--if you don't like something or it seems wrong, you have to speak up or at least turn away.

Speaking of books I am working on what I think is a pretty good story. I'm halfway through and the characters have definitely decided to run with it. I love when this happens because then I know that I'm on the right track. Seems funny that being on the right track means I have little to do with it, but that's how it is. And not all my books have been this way--the last one, Finding the Tree was a slog! But please don't hesitate to read it--it's a good story.

This new one is called IN SITU, which means in the original place (if you don't know--I didn't, but title came to me so I used it) It takes place in 2323 but there is a time-travel element involved. A love story, a bad guy being pursued through other timelines and a man who was experimented on back in late 21st century who is still alive in 2323...hope I'm generating some interest. Should be published in July if the characters keep moving it forward like they are now.

In the mean time pick up another of mine or read The Bookbinder's Daughter...

Book Reviews

Just finished reading The Water Witch by Jessica Thorne and quickly ordered The Bookbinder's Daughter. There were times when the writing became a tiny bit confusing but the story made up for it. For anyone who likes fantasy and unusual happenings in a European setting, this is a book for you. Story line is a woman coming back to the place where she lost her fiancé, and diving to find a lost city that may or may not be a myth. Intrigued?

Next book on my list is: The Fire in the Glass by Jacquelyn Benson. This is a unique read, set in 1914 London. Romantic, unusual, and intriguing in all the ways a good book should be. Seances, mediums, people with unique talents--need I say more? I give it a solid 5. Unfortunately I did not enjoy the second book in the series, The Shadow of Water. But you might. Same characters, but the plot got away from me, the situation losing me as it went on. It's more violent and graphic than the first book and also more convoluted. I guess I'm a a lazy reader these days.

Also any of the series called Echoes from the Past, by Irina Shapiro are worth a read. I usually have to wait a while in between books since it is the same characters that carry through and it can become boring. But writing is good and plots are always good.

More later...

Thanks for reading!

A month for women

May as well say it's the month for second class citizens. We have been demoted. While the politics in many states are turning back the clock, we are speaking out.

I could make this into a political rant to assuage my frustration, but instead I am planning to focus on an idea I had regarding a new book.

We have come full circle. We are now close to being poised with the pioneers who stood up for women's suffrage. Yes, we have the vote, but we still don't make as much as men doing the same jobs. We are losing our bodily rights that we fought so hard for. Women of color have even more problems to contend with. Did you know that we couldn't get a credit card in our own name until the 1970's?

Back to my next book. I have recently come upon several women who made history back in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The first woman to run for president in this country was Victoria Woodhull, who ran in 1872 for the Equal Rights Party. She supported women's suffrage and equal rights for women and labor reforms. But it all came to an end when she was arrested on obscenity charges because of a paper she published regarding an affair between Henry Ward Beecher, a minister, and Elizabeth Tilton--her account was more detailed than deemed proper at that time in history. Not to be held back she started several businesses, one as a spiritual healer using magnets. She was the first woman to operate a brokerage firm. She was part of the spiritualist movement of the time, along with several other women I've been reading about.

I have narrowed my search for a heroine down to three candidates: Victoria Hull, Annie Horniman, who was an avid Tarot card user and believed in astral travel. She was also heavily involved with the theater. The third is Anna Kingsford who was a doctor in a time when males predominated in that field. She was a pioneer for animals rights and also a writer. She, as the others, was a believer in the occult and felt she could talk to fairies, travel through time and channeled visions which included the creation of the universe.

History is rich with these wonderful women who refused to be stopped. My book would be a fictionalized version of one of their lives, my own imagination there to fill in the gaps. As I mentioned at the beginning--we have come full circle and have arrived in the past.

Which of these women would you like me to focus on? Leave a message if you have an opinion on the subject. nikkibroadwell@yahoo.com or nikki@nikkibroadwellauthor.com

Thanks for reading!!!